The monsoons have arrived now, but Mercedes-Benz India has been showering the Indian market with car launches since the beginning of this year, with six models already unveiled and six more on the horizon. While their EV lineup is expanding, it's shrinking in form factor. It started with the EQC, followed by the EQS, EQB, and the EQE SUV. Now, the newest EV offering from the German marque in India is their most compact and the most affordable one yet—the EQA! How does it fare in our testing?
Verdict
To sum it up, the EQA is an adaptation of the GLA, and there is no hiding from it. But it is a much more rounded Urban SUV compared to its ICE sibling. It is premium and comfortable, with a good amount of tech and the bonus of being quiet and greener. Our estimations suggest it would be priced at approximately 60-70 lakhs, and at that price point, it would be competing with the likes of the Volvo XC40 Recharge, which offers better performance and the BMW iX1, which offers better features, e.g. massaging seats. Whether the EQA becomes a steal of a deal or just another follower in the premium EV race will hinge on its pricing strategy.
Behind the wheel, we started our drive with an 86 percent charge, and the digital driver's display indicated 370 km of range. The EQA 250+ is equipped with a 70.5 kWh battery with a claimed range of 560 km on a single charge. Based on a 100 kWh architecture, it can charge from 10% to 80% in just 35 minutes, as the marque claims.
First impressions of the driving experience? The ride feels noticeably smoother than its ICE counterparts. This is often a point of debate among enthusiasts regarding EVs, but the inherent nature of electric propulsion eliminates noise, vibrations, and harshness, creating a remarkably tranquil cabin environment. It's almost meditative, though some might find it eerily quiet, leaving you alone with your thoughts.
Powering the EQA is a permanent synchronous magnet motor at the front, generating 188 hp and 385 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0-100 kmph in 8.6 seconds, which is slower than the diesel GLA and similar to its petrol counterpart. As the numbers suggest, the EQA isn't lightning-fast, but it's zippy enough for city driving. Overtaking is not an issue, though you won't experience the sudden burst typical of larger EVs. The focus here is on smooth, refined acceleration. Considering most highways are capped at 120 kmph, the EQA won't have any issues reaching highway speeds. Braking is progressive, with multiple regen modes. In Normal regen mode, the EV initially uses regenerative braking when you press the brake pedal before switching to conventional brakes, which is a barely noticeable transition. For more aggressive deceleration, Strong mode mimics conventional braking, while Maximum regen shines on highways. An intelligent regen mode tailors strength to your driving style.
Thanks to the lower placement of the battery pack, the EQA handles corners in a flat, without any drama. With its lower centre of gravity enhancing stability, the body control is well managed. At highway speeds, it feels planted and is generally straightforward to drive. Aside from the occasional thud from the 19-inch wheels when encountering potholes. The steering has a satisfying weight at higher speeds while being light enough for city use. However, I would have appreciated more feedback from the car, particularly in the Dynamic driving mode. Nonetheless, it's engineered to deliver a smooth and refined driving experience.
At the end of our drive, we achieved an efficiency of 6.10 km/kWh, suggesting a real-world range of approximately 450 km. This included a rigorous mix of highway cruising, urban congestion navigation, and spirited driving, all while battling Jaipur's scorching heat with the AC dialled to its coolest setting.
Stepping inside, the EQA envelops you in a quintessential compact Mercedes-Benz cabin featuring a dual 10.25-inch screen setup powered by the latest MBUX operating system. It impresses with its responsiveness, intuitive interface, and crisp graphics, enhanced further by gesture control. New EQ-specific screens display real-time battery usage and regenerative braking information, integrated alongside familiar Mercedes-Benz design cues.
Below this sit are turbine-style air conditioning vents finished in rose gold. The heads-up display gamifies economical driving, rating the driver from one to five stars and encouraging you to be light-footed. Augmented reality turn-by-turn navigation is helpful when you’re guessing whether or not to take the flyover. Other tech features include wireless charging, USB-C ports, ambient lighting, and an optional 710-watt, 12-speaker Burmeister sound system equipped with Dolby Atmos. A panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with natural light, a welcome feature as we transition from summer.
The seats are comfortable and well-bolstered, and they feature the Kinetic function to reduce fatigue during long journeys. Clad in supple man-made leather with recycled PET plastic bottle fabric inserts, they provide comfort while being sustainable.
In the rear, while headroom is ample, taller occupants like myself, at 6 ft 2 in, might find legroom modest, influenced by the slightly raised floor accommodating battery cells. However, amenities such as armrests with cup holders, dedicated air-con vents, and a USB charging port are provided. If you are considering chauffeur-driven use, it’s best suited for shorter journeys or shorter people. Overall, the
At first glance, it shares many similarities with the GLA, as both cars are built on the MFA platform. However, Mercedes-Benz has replaced the traditional engine and fuel tank with an electric motor and battery pack. This means, unlike purpose-built electric cars, there's no front storage space, which is a bit of a letdown. However, there’s a lot to appreciate in its design, which subtly makes it stand out from the GLA. The front grille has been swapped out with a blanked-out gloss black panel integrated with three-pointed star motifs. The aerodynamic front apron and electric blue accents in the headlamps unmistakably signal its electric nature, complemented by a striking full-width LED light strip.
On the sides, the profile mirrors the GLA's sporty silhouette but distinguishes itself with 19-inch aero wheels bearing the AMG badge.
At the rear, the tail lamps are connected by a full-width LED bar, and the clever relocation of the three-pointed star to double as the electric boot opener adds functionality.
Inside, the boot space has decreased compared to the GLA at 340 litres offered, which might not be alot, but for most urban driving, it should suffice. Additionally, the rear bench folds down in a 40-20-40 split, providing extra space. The EQA looks premium and is a handsome entry point into Mercedes' EV lineup, particularly in the Mountain Grey Magno shade adorned by our review unit.
Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+
- Power 140 KW
- Torque 385 Nm
- 0-100 KMPH in 8.6 Seconds
- Range – 560 km [ WLTP ]
- Storage Trunk – 340 litre,
